Introducing The Open Door: The Chicago Writing Program Reading Series

The Poetry Foundation Inaugurates a New Event Series

October 30, 2013

CHICAGO — The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine, inaugurates its new monthly writing program reading series, The Open Door, on Tues., Nov. 19 at 7 pm. The new series celebrates the teacher/student dynamic and is named after Harriet Monroe’s edict in the first issue of Poetry (October 1912): “The Open Door will be the policy of this magazine—may the great poet we are looking for never find it shut, or half-shut, against his ample genius!”

The Open Door series will present exciting work from Chicago’s new and emerging poets and highlight the area’s outstanding writing programs. Each hour-long reading will feature two Chicagoland college and graduate writing program instructors and two of their current or recent students.

“I came to the Poetry Foundation after directing a graduate writing program at the New School in New York City for 20 years,” said Robert Polito, president of the Poetry Foundation. “The notion of a monthly evening at the Foundation that brings together writing students and faculty from across Chicagoland originates in my longstanding admiration for the dynamic and innovative writing programs here. Chicago is an incredible writing city, and the Poetry Foundation is eager to showcase this exciting new poetry.”

Area writing programs interested in participating in 2014 are encouraged to contact Steve Young.

NOVEMBER

What:The Open Door: Christina Pugh and Rachel WebsterWho: Christina Pugh and Matthew Reed Corey of the University of Illinois at Chicago; Rachel Webster and Peter Tolly of Northwestern UniversityWhen: Tuesday, November 19, 7 pmWhere: Poetry Foundation, 61 West Superior StreetCost: This event is free and open to the public.

DECEMBER

What:The Open Door: Elise Paschen and Mark TurcotteWho: Elise Paschen and Britney Lipton of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Mark Turcotte and M. Quinn Stifler of DePaul UniversityWhen: Tuesday, December 17, 7 pmWhere: Poetry Foundation, 61 West Superior StreetCost: This event is free and open to the public.

About the Poetry FoundationThe Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine, is an independent literary organization committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture. It exists to discover and celebrate the best poetry and to place it before the largest possible audience. The Poetry Foundation seeks to be a leader in shaping a receptive climate for poetry by developing new audiences, creating new avenues for delivery and encouraging new kinds of poetry through innovative literary prizes and programs. For more information, please visit poetryfoundation.org.